No threat to UDF Ministry: Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today asserted there was no threat to the UDF Government led by him and rejected speculation that Kerala Congress (M) leader and state Finance Minister K M Mani was exploring the possibility forming a ministry with LDF support.

Answering questions during his press briefing on cabinet meeting here, he ridiculed media reports in this regard and said "both UDF and Congress in the state will move forward with unity and any attempt by CPI-M to create division will not succeed."

CPI-M "daydreamed (of coming to power) many times during the last three years" but when they failed they "will say they do not wish to form government through short-cut," Chandy said. Chandy also came down on media saying it was carrying reports in this regard without any merit or basis.

"It is your (media) credibility that is at stake," he added.

To a question, Chandy said no doubt Mani was very much capable to become Chief Minister with his administrative experience and political stature. But, the media was trying to create issues that did not exist. Mani himself had yesterday stated that the question of Kerala Congress (M) leaving the UDF was irrelevant and all reports in this regard were mere media creation.

The speculation gained currency after a Kerala Congress functionary made an open call for making 81-year-old Mani the Chief Minister considering his stature and experience.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said there was no need for LDF to accept any party coming out UDF. The KC-M was also a part of the alleged 'corruption' happening in the UDF government, he added.

PTI